Dear Dr AMA
Here in Taiwan we've had a wet spell, and all the mosquito's have come out. I've never lived in a country with so many "mozzies" before, so I was wondering if people could advise me.
1. How should I treat the bites. I have about 50 bites in total all over my body, mostly on my legs. I put antiseptic on the sore red ones. Any which have puss in I cut open and drain, and then put antiseptic on. Those which have scabbed over I leave. Any further advice?
2. How can I stop them? I put DEET on every morning, wear long trousers and slap any I see/feel. If I feel them though it's usually too late - the bite is then enough to become sore.
3. Could they be caused by other things? some of the resulting sore patches are about the diameter of a lychee. Is this normal for a mosquito bite. If it's something else, should I treat it differently?
I will be seeing the doctor tomorrow, but I won't be able to understand him/her because I don't speak Chinese, so any insight you can give me would be most useful.
1. How should I treat the bites. I have about 50 bites in total all over my body, mostly on my legs. I put antiseptic on the sore red ones. Any which have puss in I cut open and drain, and then put antiseptic on. Those which have scabbed over I leave. Any further advice?
2. How can I stop them? I put DEET on every morning, wear long trousers and slap any I see/feel. If I feel them though it's usually too late - the bite is then enough to become sore.
3. Could they be caused by other things? some of the resulting sore patches are about the diameter of a lychee. Is this normal for a mosquito bite. If it's something else, should I treat it differently?
I will be seeing the doctor tomorrow, but I won't be able to understand him/her because I don't speak Chinese, so any insight you can give me would be most useful.